Collapsible globe



s. E. LYMANu C OYLLAPSIBLEGLOBE.

APPLICATION FILED'FEB. 9. 1920.

1,375,853. Patenied Apr. 26, 1921.

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jam E Zy'mmz @Ho'cuegd S. E. LYMAN.

COLLAPSIBLE .GLOBE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9. 1920.

1,375,853. ted Apr- 26,1921.

2- SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' java/4 9272422 UNITED STA'illifi SARAH E. LYIVIAN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

COLLAPSEBLE GLOBE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 26, lfi2il.

Application filed February 9, 1920. Serial No. 357,319.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SARAH E. LYMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Collapsible Globes, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present improvement, relating, as indicated, to collapsible globes, has reference to terrestrial (or celestial) globes designed for educational purposes, the object being to provide a globe of this type for the individual use of the pupil, which can be readily folded up and placed away in the desk, or expanded into proper spherical form when required for study. A further object is to render such collapsible globe adaptable for use with a removable surface of flexible material, such, for example, as paper mounted on cloth, in the form of a suitable number of segments laterally secured together, but slit along one side so as to be removable from the framework. This cover will be initially blank, or with outline map so that the student may personally draw the map or projection of the earths surface on the globe, and thus obtain a better idea -of the relative size of the continents and of terrestrial distances in general.

To the accomplishment of. the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following de-, scription setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Figure l is a side elevational view of the frame of my improved collapsible globe, shown in its extended condition; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same taken on the line 22, Fig. 1 and Fig. 8, the position of parts in the collapsed condition of the frame being shown in dotted outline; Fig. 3 is a broken axial section of the same taken on the lane indicated by the line 83, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a broken top plan view thereof; Fig. 5 is a transverse section of a detail taken along the line 55, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows; and Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views of other details, as indicated by the lines 66 and 7-T, respectively, on Fig. 4.

Referring, first of all, to the construction of the frame as the feature of principal interest, the main element in the latter will be seen to consist of a central stem or spindle 1 in the form of a light rod to whih the various operative parts are attached, as will now be explained, it being noted that the frame proper consists of a plurality of arouate, approximately semi-circular members formed of light wire. Two such members 2, 2 are secured at their respective ends to bushings or collars 3, 3 attached to the spin die 1 so as to be non-rotatable thereabout. Such members 2, 2 accordingly define in effeet a fixed great circle, passing through the poles of the globe. The remaining arcuate members 4 are equally distributed between the two sides of the globe thus defined by members 2, and are so supported as to be capable either of lying closely folded thereagainst and in substantially parallel relation thereto, or else at appropriate angles so as to form a symmetrical spherical structure. With this in view, the ends of said members 4 are pivotally secured to plates 5 adjacent the respective collars 3, such ends being recurved to engage suitable apertures 6 symmetrically located about the edges of such plates. The latter are spaced a trifle from the collars 3, and supplemental plates?' and 8 are interposed between the ends of the members and said collars to hold such ends in place in apertures 6.

There is also provided at the one end of the spindle an additional plate 9 interposed between the corresponding plate 8 and the collar 3, said twoplates being relatively rotatable to each other, and with respect to said collar. Plates 8 and 9 are respectively formed with diametrically oppositely extending arms 10, 10 and 11, 11, as best shown in Fig. 4, to which are attached, as by means of eyelets 12 (see Fig. 6), the correspondingly located members 4. The latter accordingly have a sliding pivotal connection with said arms, so that, upon rotation of either plate, the corresponding pair of members 4 will be swung about their pivotal points of attachment to plates 5. Incidentally to such movement of these particular members 4, they will engage and sweep along with them the members 4 that lie between the same and the nearest member 2, the final position of the parts, following such rotative movement of the plates in opposite directions relatively to each other, being that indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 2.

In order to facilitate such rotation of the plates 8 and 9 relatively to each other, plate 9 is formed with an arcuate slot 15, and adjacent one end thereof with an upstanding finger-piece 16, while plate 8 is formed w1th an upstanding finger-piece 17 which proyects through slot 15 and is free to move therealong. By moving the finger-pieces 16 and 17 apart the collapsing effect just described is secured, while upon bringing them together into the position shown in Fig. l, the arms 10 and 11 bring the members 4: attached thereto respectively into their operative or extended positions. The remaining members 4 are simultaneously brought into proper position by means of flexible connections therebetween, and with said members 4 thus attached to arms 10 and 11. Such connections may take the form of a cord 18 attached at proper intervals to the members 4 about an equatorial line, or in case the flexible covering 19 of the globe is attached to the individual members 4;, it will obviously serve the same purpose. I

This covering 19 requires to be slit along meridian lines as at 20 to permit the collapsing of the members, and, as previously indicated, may be entirely removable from the framework if desired.

The foregoing description of the construction of my improved collapsible globe has included sufficient reference to the mode of operation to make any further statement of such operation unnecessary. With the frame collapsed in the form shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2, the globe may obviously be stowed away in an ordinary desk or drawer, while when desired to use the same, by simply drawing the finger-pieces 16 and 17, the frame is at once distended and the covering will assume the proper spherical shape if already attached to the frame, or such covering may thereupon be placed upon the frame for use.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In. a device of the character described, the combination of a central. spindle, plates adjacent the ends of said spindle, a plurality of arcuate ribs pivotally attached at their respective ends to said plates so as to form a globelike frame when extended in radial position, said ribs being adapted to be folded together one against the other on opposite sides of said spindle, means adapted thus to fold and unfold said ribs, and cover attached to the ribs connected with said folding and unfolding means.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a central spindle, plates adjacent the ends of said spindle, a plurality of arcuate ribs pivotally attached at their respective ends to said plates so as to form a globe-like frame when extended in radial position, said ribs being adapted to fold together one against the other on opposite sides of said spindle, and means adapted thus to fold and to unfold said ribs, as desired.

In device of the character described,

the combination of a central spindle, a plurality of arcuate ribs pivotally associated at their respective ends with said spindle so as to form a globedike frame when. extended in radial position, said ribs being adapted to fold together one against the other on opposite sides of said spindle, and means adapted thus to fold and to unfold said ribs, as desired, said means including two relatively rotatable plates at one end of said spindle, each connected with two diametrically opposite ribs. and flexible means connecting the several ribs of each set. into which said ribs are thus divided.

4:. In a device of the character described, the combination of a central spindle, two arcuate ribs fixedly associated with said spindle on opposite sides thereof, and a plurality of similar ribs pivotally associated at their respective ends with said spindle between said first-named ribs so as to form along therewith a globe-like frame when extended in radial position, said pivoted ribs being adapted to fold against said firstnamed ribs from opposite sides thereof.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a central spindle, two arcuate ribs fixedly associated with said spindle on opposite sides thereof, a plurality of similar ribs pivotally associated at their respective ends with said spindle between said first-named ribs so as to form along therewith a globe-like frame when extended in radial position, said pivoted ribs being adapted to fold against said first-named ribs from opposite sides thereof, and means adapted thus to fold, and to unfold said ribs, as described, said means including two relatively rotatable plates at one end of said spindle, each connected with two diametrically opposite ribs, and flexible means connecting the several ribs of each set into which said ribs are thus divided.

Signed by me, this 7th day of February,

SARAH E. LYMAN. 

